​There are certain occupations that make you wonder how someone started doing what they do, and piloting an underwater science robot is certainly one of them. A job not many children dream of, but one that is likely closer to being an astronaut than any other terrestrial job. Over the course of our cruise I’ve had the opportunity to chat with several of the ROPOS* crew about what it takes to be a submersible operator.  

​Operating the $2.3M robot thousands of meters below sea level is by no means a trivial task. Although most of the crew are educated as engineers, this job can’t be trained for and requires adaptability and quick thinking. Being a pilot is not for anyone who likes to do things “by-the-book”, says pilot Peter Lockhart. 

​Because ROPOS is a registered non-for-profit all the funds are reinvested in the company, which allows them to keep up with technological advances. In the future both Peter and Keith see ROPOS acquiring a second robot, and expanding into Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). 

"The deep sea is one of the least studied regions of the world.  I love the idea that when we go to a new place, we might find things no one ever knew existed.  I also really enjoy everything about our ship cruises.  I am happiest when I am out at sea (even though I am notorious for getting seasick very easily). " 
​Amanda Kahn

"​I am a marine ecologist. I find the ocean exciting because it is like outer space. There are parts unseen with new critters waiting to be discovered. As a child, I imagined myself as an astronaut, so deep sea exploration is as close as I will ever get to being in outer space!" 
​​Lauren Law

"Figuring out how the ocean works and how it is capable of such abundant life. Getting to be out in the field trying to answer that question." 
​Stephanie Archer

"There are no scientists in my family, but I found biology fascinating because it told who animals were and how they interacted and functioned. When I went to UBC I took invertebrate biology from Tom Carefoot and Sandra Millen; I was blown away by the kaleidoscope of creatures that lack backbones (invertebrates). They were my first science mentors and instrumental in fostering the idea that marine science could be fun." 
​Sally Leys

"I liked the idea of having tools to solve real-world applied physical problems. I ended up in statistics because it was applicable in almost every field (job security!) and meant I could do a variety of things if I wanted. Strong role models throughout my life have convinced me that anything is possible." ​
​Mary Thiess 

"In terms of role models, my mom is a fantastic role model for perseverance.  She’d call it stubbornness, but she says that once she puts effort into something, she doesn’t want that effort to be wasted, and that really taught me follow-through. She also says that it doesn’t hurt to ask for something because the worst that someone can say is “no.”  That’s worked out very well for me." 
​Amanda Kahn

"Yes, in too many situations to relate here. There are so many biases against women in science, both conscious and unconscious. The only way to overcome this is to be open about it, find constructive ways to talk about biases people may have, and training more women in science."
​Stephanie Archer

"Maybe not reputation, but it affects some aspects of work life. This is changing though. 
I don’t worry about it. The science is more important, and doing it well and having fun with the people I work with is what I focus on." Sally Leys

"Certainly there are moments when I recognize that I’m female and that that colors people’s perceptions of me, and it is upsetting when I read about gender biases that sometimes we don’t even recognize.  I haven’t let it get to me though – I’m happy being female and I like to do science, so therefore I’m a female scientist.  When there’s the occasional overtly gender-biased statement, I call it out right away." ​Amanda Kahn

"I think there needs to be more flexibility for women to take parental leave from work. I’ve spoken to many female scientists who don’t end up pursuing academia because their “biological clock is ticking”. I think it is a shame we lose perfectly capable and highly intelligent women from science for this reason alone." 
​Lauren Law

"I think there are (unfortunately) still too many subtle experiences that cumulatively deter young women from pursuing STEM careers and education. Focusing on challenging these barriers early on may lead to more women in STEM." 
​Mary Thiess

"Providing more support for women that choose to have families. Promoting more women into leadership roles. Recognizing, talking about, and finding ways to combat unconscious biases."
​Stephanie Archer

"Yes, I wondered after my postdocs whether I should go into teaching or medicine or editing. But, in the end I just couldn’t stomach giving up the freedom to have a job that allowed me to follow my curiosity." 
​Sally Leys

"The ratio in the number of specialized research jobs to the number of qualified candidates is small so there’s a lot of competition. While I have not thought of giving up science, I have considered taking research work in fields more tangential to my field of expertise – these were jobs I considered holding while I continued to search for a position that was more aligned with my expertise and interests. It definitely takes perseverance, luck in timing for finding available opportunities, mobility and circumstance." 
Dafne Eerkes-Medrano

"While I was working on my PhD I worked as a science translator at night and yet I could barely make ends meet. At one point, I wondered whether I should become a full-time translator instead. I kept going because of the strong sense that there was more for me to do in science- and that I could do it." 
​Anya Dunham

"It might be commitment to things, even when challenges come up. And, perhaps, curiosity- there are always questions to get excited about finding answers for." ​
​Anya Dunham

"Curiosity, creativity, perseverance, open mindedness, an ability to work independently and with others, and an ability to learn new things are some characteristics that have been helpful."
​Dafne Eerkes-Medrano

"No. Just a will to do so." ​
​Mary Thiess

 "Try to keep the sense of wonder you have. My daughters are 5 and 2 years old and their ability to notice everything and their curiosity is a source of inspiration for me. Also, try to embrace work and study opportunities that come up, even those that don’t seem to align perfectly with your field of choice - having a broader perspective (and neat experiences!) will be helpful no matter where you go." Anya Dunham

"There will be moments you may think you are not good enough, smart enough, or eloquent enough to be in this field. I want you to know that you are all these things and more! There will be moments when you want to quit, but at these points you must learn to find that “grrrr” deep within to persevere. ​As women in science, we must be united and supportive of each other. Friendly competition between fellow female science colleagues is healthy, but at the end of the day remember you are on the same team!" ​Lauren Law

"If you go into a profession or field that you’re passionate about and inspired by it will be easier to put in the hard work that will be required to make a path for yourself. I think this applies to many fields/careers – not just in science." 
​Dafne Eerkes-Medrano

​Sponges are filter-feeders; they pump water through their body with cells that have a feather-like flagellum that undulates back and forth. The water passes through a fine mesh and the cells are able to capture and eat bacteria. The water enters the sponge through pores on the outside of the body and exits through a large opening at the top termed the osculum. The osculum is an important part of the sponge because it has sensory micro-hairs that respond to external stimuli, such as flow and touch. ​​
About 90% of species are Cellular Sponges (demosponges), but we're at the Hecate Strait studying Glass Sponges.​ Glass sponges are named for the silica skeletons they grow, silica being the main component of glass. The skeletons are rigid and allow the body to stay upright, which is important so that sponges get exposed to surrounding flow which alleviates the amount of energy needed for them to pump. 

​But the true distinguishing feature of Glass Sponges is that they don’t have membranes separating the cellular brain (the nucleus, for the more biologically savvy), making them essentially one large cell with various compartments. This  allows a fast action potential – electrical signal like neuronal signalling– to be passed throughout the tissue and cause pumping to arrest. From lab experiments we know that if there is too much sediment in the water the sponge will stop pumping to avoid clogging its pores; this is a large reason why bottom trawling is so destructive to sponges. One of the goals from this research cruise is to determine the effect that sediment has on glass sponges right on the reefs. 

​Unlike glass sponges, cellular sponges do have membranes separating individual cells. This means that an action potential can’t be quickly transmitted through the body. Instead they rely on molecules to transfer the signal, but the exact mechanism isn't yet known. Cellular sponges also evolved a way to get rid of sediment. Instead of arresting their pumping, they “sneeze” out the sediment with rhythmic contractions.